None Shall Escape (1944)

None Shall Escape: Directed by André De Toth. With Marsha Hunt, Alexander Knox, Henry Travers, Erik Rolf. The career of a Nazi officer shown as flashbacks from his trial as a war criminal.

“This was a wonderful little American propaganda film that is both highly creative AND openly discusses the Nazi atrocities before the entire extent of the death camps were revealed. While late 1944 and into 1945 would reveal just how evil and horrific they were, this film, unlike other Hollywood films to date, is the most brutally honest film of the era I have seen regarding Nazi atrocities.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film begins in a courtroom in the future–after the war is over (the film was made in 1944–the war ended in May, 1945). In this fictitious world court, a Nazi leader is being tried for war crimes. Wilhelm Grimm is totally unrepentant and one by one witnesses are called who reveal Grimmu0026#39;s life since 1919 in a series of flashbacks. At first, it appears that the film is going to be sympathetic or explain how Grimm was pushed to join the Nazis. However, after a while, it becomes very apparent that Grimm is just a sadistic monster. These episodes are amazingly well done and definitely hold your interest and also make the film seem less like a piece of propaganda but a legitimate drama.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAll in all, the film does a great job considering the film mostly stars second-tier actors. There are many compelling scenes and performances–especially the very prescient Jewish extermination scene towards the end that canu0026#39;t help but bring you close to tears. It was also interesting how around the same point in the film there were some super-creative scenes that use crosses in a way you might not notice at first. Overall, itu0026#39;s a must-see for history lovers and anyone who wants to see a good film.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFYI–This is not meant as a serious criticism of the film, but Hitler was referred to as u0026quot;that paper hangeru0026quot;. This is a reference to the myth that Hitler had once made money putting up wallpaper. This is in fact NOT true–previously heu0026#39;d been a u0026quot;starving artistu0026quot;, homeless person and served well in the German army in WWI. A horrible person, yes, but never a paper hanger!”